Wishing Moon

A fourteen-year-old orphan in ancient Arabia receives a discarded magic lamp from a princess, changing her life from a street beggar to someone with access to power and wealth. The lamp contains a jinni who must grant wishes, leading the orphan Aminah on a path she never expected. The story follows Aminah as she navigates her new circumstances, making choices about how to use the lamp's power while avoiding detection from the princess who wants it back. Her relationship with the jinni evolves as she pursues her goals of helping others in need throughout the city of Al-Kal'as. Wishing Moon builds on the foundation of traditional Arabian folklore while exploring themes of power, responsibility, and the true meaning of generosity. The narrative examines what happens after "happily ever after" in the original tale of Aladdin, presenting a fresh perspective on classic magical elements.

Readers describe this middle-grade fantasy as a unique take on Arabian Nights themes, with many appreciating how it builds on familiar elements while creating its own story. Readers highlighted: - The strong female protagonist and her growth throughout the story - Rich worldbuilding that brings ancient Baghdad to life - Balance between magic and realism - Age-appropriate handling of complex themes Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in the middle sections - Some plot points resolve too conveniently - Supporting characters could use more development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 reviews) One reader noted: "The friendship between Aminah and the jinni adds heart to what could have been just another magical adventure." Another mentioned: "Students in my class were drawn in by the Arabian setting but stayed for the character relationships." Several teachers and librarians report the book works well for grades 4-7 as a read-aloud or independent reading choice.

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🌙 The Arabian Nights tales, which inspired this book, have been translated into over 300 languages worldwide 🏺 The concept of genies in lamps originated from ancient Middle Eastern folklore, where they were called "jinns" and weren't initially confined to lamps ✍️ Michael O. Tunnell is also an accomplished professor of children's literature at Brigham Young University 🏰 Al-Kal'as, though fictional, draws inspiration from real historical Middle Eastern cities during the Golden Age of Islam 📚 This book is one of several modern retellings that explore the "after-story" of Aladdin, a tale that wasn't originally part of The Arabian Nights but was added by a French translator in the 18th century